Abstract: A fluoroscopically alignable assembly is set forth. A longitudinally extending element support is extendable into a body cavity. The element, which may be in the nature of a cutting element, is supported by the element support. A radiopaque marker pattern is carried by the support. The pattern is such that by fluoroscopic viewing of the pattern, the user can determine the angular orientation of the element. In accordance with the method of the invention, the element can be aligned in a desired direction by fluoroscopically observing the marker pattern.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an improvement is set forth in an electrosurgical electrode having a conductor from which a radio frequency electrical signal is generated, which signal sparks to and performs a surgical procedure upon the tissue adjacent the conductor and is received by a receiver. The improvement comprises a dielectric sheath surrounding the conductor in the region where the surgical procedure is being performed, the sheath having a slit extending longitudinally along it in the region exposing only a portion of the lateral surface of the conductor.